Lancashire & Cheshire Federation of Scottish Societies


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Emblems

Emblems

The CREST was prepared from a design by McGregor of Manchester and approved at a meeting in Blackpool on the 10th September 1927. It features two angled shields, that on the left comprising a white St. Andrew’s Cross on a blue background (Argent Saltire on Azure), and the right depicting a red Lion Rampant on a yellow field (Gules on Or), superimposed on Thistles Floral with curved inscriptions ‘LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE’ above, ‘FEDERATION OF’ and ‘SCOTTISH SOCIETIES’ in two lines below. The Crest is found on the letterheads, the cover of the Annual Dinner and Ball Menu cards and (in colour) on the badges of the Past Presidents. These were first presented to five former Presidents at the Annual General Meeting in 1951 and to all subsequent Presidents on completion of their terms of Office.

The PRESIDENT’S BADGE was donated by Fylde St. Andrew Society in 1938 to mark the coming into office of J.D. Laurie and also as a memorial to T. Fraser Bowie. It was designed by E. Taylor of Wallasey Caledonian Society and shows a Lion Rampant on a St. Andrew’s Cross backed with Floral Thistles with inscriptions. Currently it is worn on a blue ribbon but started life suspended from a Tartan collar. Badges of a similar design were presented to the Secretary and Treasurer in 1951 and to the Chieftain in 1960

In 2006 a former Past President, Alistair Gibson, bequeathed a sum of money to the Federation to use as it felt appropriate. After discussion it was agreed to purchase a silver chain for the President's Badge for formal occasions and a new Vice President's badge.



The new Vice President's badge uses the original Federation crest.

A BANNER, in memory of Jim Scott, Past President and Life Member, was presented by Liverpool Scots Association at the AGM on 1st May 1993. Of Blue cotton with a white fringe, it was designed by John Thornhill and made by Imelda Thornhill and Gladys Percy. Measuring 6ft x 4ft the banner features a Red Lion Rampant on a White Saltire, Gold Inscriptions, Thistles of Purple Velvet and Blue Maribou with Blaeberries, the Badge of the Scott Clan and classical Fret corners. The Banner is supported by a brass rail on a segmented mahogany stand constructed by Les Ingman.

A CROMACH, or Shepherd’s Crook, made by Andrew MacLeod, Moreton & District Caledonian Association, was presented in 1959 for use by the Field President at the Highland Games. Another Cromach, also hand-made by Andrew MacLeod was gifted to the Festival of Scotland Highland Gathering in London 1963.


A QUAICH for use by the President, particularly at the Annual Dinner & Highland Ball was presented in May 1996 by Alister V. McLean, a former President.



A WHISKY FLASK, for use by the Chieftain on appropriate occasions during his term of office was given into the care of the Federation by the Retiring Chieftain, Jim McMillan, in 2000.



The ROSE BOWL was donated by the family of Miss Margaret Sutherland, the first lady President of the Federation, who died in 1980 after 50 years service. The Rose Bowl is filled with flowers and graces the top table at every Council meeting - the flowers being then delivered to a member of the Federation who is ill.

A LACE CLOTH, of a Thistle design, also decorates the table and was given in memory of Robert Anderson, former Chieftain, by Miss Phyll Lee in 1985.

TRAYS - a hand carved Haggis Salver and a Silver Tray for Whisky and glasses, to be used at Federation Annual and Celebration Dinners, were presented in 1985 by Miss Jean Anderson in memory of her father Bobbie.


A DIRK for use by the Chieftain on appropriate occasions during his term of office was given into the care of the Federation by Retiring Chieftain George Penman in 1990.


In 2016 Clitheroe Caledonian presented a table cloth for use at the Annual Dinner. It was embroidered by a number of the members and show the Federation Crest in one of the rectangular corners.












The FORREST tray is used to carry the haggis and drinks for the address and and toast to the haggis at major dining events


It was presented by Past Chieftain Gordon Forrest of Liverpool Scots Association and St Helens Society


Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o the puddin'-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang's my arm.

The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o need,
While thro your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.

His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An cut you up wi ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like onie ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin, rich!

Then, horn for horn, they stretch an strive:
Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive,
Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve
Are bent like drums;
The auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
'Bethankit' hums.

Is there that owre his French ragout,
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad mak her spew
Wi perfect sconner,
Looks down wi sneering, scornfu view
On sic a dinner?

Poor devil! see him owre his trash,
As feckless as a wither'd rash,
His spindle shank a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit:
Thro bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!

But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread,
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He'll make it whissle;
An legs an arms, an heads will sned,
Like taps o thrissle.

Ye Pow'rs, wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies:
But, if ye wish her gratefu prayer,
Gie her a Haggis!





The BLACKBURN tray is also used for carrying the drinks for the toast to the haggis and was presented by Blackburn Society




In 2006 the Rev Sandy Mailer, the then Chaplain, presented this lectern for use at Federation formal meetings. He crafted it himslf and won a prize at the annual Festival of Arts and Crafts. Sandy served for 20 years as Chaplian of the Federaion and also undertook duites as President (2005) and Chieftain (2009 - 2017).





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